Diversity is a spice of life. To celebrate the richness that multicultural society brings, SWPS University will be hosting the first edition of International Days at its Warsaw Campus, on May 12-13, 2017. The goal of the event is to provide common space for people from different countries and cultures, to share their experiences and discuss vital issues related to functioning in a multicultural society. Most importantly, we would like to empower everyone and to recognize and celebrate the richness of the cultural diversity.
To facilitate smooth communication between the speakers of various languages, we will host the event in English.
International Days
May
12-13 2017
Warsaw
Let's Tune Into Diversity
Conference
The main goal of the conference, organized in the form of interactive discussion panels, is to gain a broader perspective on the issue of living and working in a multicultural society, by sharing experiences with people from different professional backgrounds. Conference participants will include representatives of international businesses, local authorities, NGOs, academics, and international students, who will present their personal views on living and working in Poland. The two-day Conference will be a great opportunity to gain knowledge, get inspired, and find solutions to everyday problems.
CONFERENCE PROGRAM
Friday, May 12, 2017, room S306
11.45–12:00 Opening ceremony
12.00–13.00 Panel I: How to present an authentic image of your country to the world?
- Moderator: Barry Keane (SWPS University, Institute of English Studies)
- Panelists: Faras Dabouil (University of Warsaw), Paulina Nalewajko (SWPS University, Department of Spanish Studies), Kamil Kuhr (SWPS University, student at the department of Cultural Studies)
13.15–14.15 Panel II: What constitutes a multicultural University?
- Moderator: Paweł Boski (SWPS University, Department of Multicultural Psychology)
- Panelists: Andrzej Kowalow (representative of Ukrainian students), Hacer Ersoy (representative of Turkish students), Huilin Sun (representative of Chinese students), Alicja Truchel (SWPS University Students Government), Paula Pustułka (Interdyscyplinary Doctoral Program, Youth Research Center)
14.15–15.45 Break. Time to visit the International Village
15.45–16.45 Panel III: What can a Human Resources manager do better in terms of cultural diversity?
- Moderator: Andrew Buchanan (SWPS University)
- Panelists: Bartosz Szczęsny (Accenture), Marko Soltys (Future Centre Training Corporation)
17.00–18.00 Panel IV: How can a foreigner become successful in business, in a new country?
- Moderator: Anna Piłat (Institute of Public Affairs)
- Panelists: Tade Daniel Omotosho (SynergyInc, Ravens Media), Ozan Irmak (Polonya Kultur)
Saturday, May 13, 2017, room S306
12.00–13.00 Panel V: How immigration impacts contemporary Poland?
- Moderator: Igor Lyubashenko (SWPS University, Center for the Study of Democracy)
- Panelists: Giuseppe Leonardi (Adam Mickiewicz University), Marta Penczek-Zapała (SWPS University, Department of Multicultural Psychology), Sare Ucar (SWPS University, student at the Faculty of Psychology)
13.15–14.15 Panel VI: What is the role of various organizations in the shaping of a multicultural society?
- Moderator: Marcin Jacoby (SWPS University, Director for International Relations)
- Panelists: Jakub Królikowski (Arteria Art Foundation), Amine Khadraoui (student at the Faculty of Psychology, AISEC), Katarzyna Oyrzanowska (from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Warsaw)
14.15–15.45 Break. Time to visit International Village.
15.45–16.45 Panel VII: How can you improve the quality of your life, while living in a foreign country?
- Moderator: Maria Baran (SWPS University, life coach)
- Panelists: Anna Gabińska (SWPS University, Department of Positive Psychology), Stefan Baker (psychotherapist), Paula Kuberka (SWPS University, student at the Faculty of Psychology), Asami Noguchi (SWPS University, student at the Faculty of Psychology)
17.00–18.00 Panel VIII: Successful communication in a multicultural environment - how is it done?
- Moderator: Radosław Stanczewski (SWPS University, Head of the International Programs and Exchange Office)
- Panelists: Richard Washington (College of Europe), Chris Gotowski (SWPS University), Olena Stetsenko (SWPS University, student at the department of English Studies), Alina Landowska (SWPS University)
18.00–18.15 Closing ceremony
Main Attractions
International Village
The courtyard of our Warsaw Campus will be transformed into a space where cultural performances and booths with culinary delicacies from around the world will reflect the essence of diversity present at SWPS University and in Warsaw. Students, representing over 20 nationalities, will show key elements of their cultures and their home countries.
In several tents at the International Village, SWPS University students will host a variety of cultural events. Visitors will have a chance to get a Belarusian folk-art “tattoo” and watch a traditional Uzbek wedding ceremony. There will be demonstrations of Turkish EBRU art - a paper marbling technique and Origami – a Japanese paper folding art. Music enthusiasts will have an opportunity to listen to Vietnamese and Kyrgyz musical performances and watch a variety of national dances.
Our International Village will provide the nourishment not only for the soul, but also for the body. Visitors will be tempted to try traditional dishes and regional specialties from various regions. Additionally, local restaurants and specialized food trucks will provide international food fair, to ensure that no one goes hungry during the event.
Partners’ Initiatives
The event is organized in partnership with SWPS University's Office for Career Services as well as several business partners and NGOs, including: Accenture, Future Centre Training Corporation, Amnesty International, Erasmus Student Network, Enactus, and AISEC.
We encourage everyone to visit the booths of our partners to peruse internship and volunteering opportunities or just get ideas for self-development.
Music Shows
Both days will conclude with concerts and parties to further integrate our guests and the international community of our University. On Friday May 12th, we will hold a DJ party at our courtyard. On Saturday May 13th, we would like to invite everyone to a night of clubbing - venue to be advised.
DJ Mamadou has been promoting tropical music in various clubs in Warsaw, including Hybrydy, Tygmont and Klub Dziennikarza [Journalist Club]. Currently, he co-hosts Etnofaza program focused on African music on RDC radio.
During International Days he will play a mix of multicultural dance rhythms, such as afro, salsa, reggae, Bollywood, and Middle Eastern sounds.
DJ Maken (Mirosław Dzięciołowski), born in Zgorzelec (South-Western Poland) and currently living in Warsaw, is the founder of Joint Venture Sound System, one of the first Polish reggae sound systems that has been performing for close to 30 years. Together with his sound system partner, Activator, he played at thousands of musical events all over Poland. Joint Venture also performed in Russia, Germany, France, Great Britain, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Austria.
Maken is also a music scout, MC, performer, and a promoter of many foreign reggae/world music stars in Poland. For the past 10 years, he has been the host of the weekly reggae program, Strefa Dread [Dread Zone] on the Polish Radio Czwórka [Polish Radio Four]. Maken also collaborated with Polish Television, namely the TVP Kultura channel and is a regular contributor to the reggae music magazine Free Colours. He collaborated with Paprika Korps and a French band Brain Damage.
When he is not performing, he runs a concert agency, which for many years has been inviting many renowned musicians from all over the world to perform in Poland. He is one of the organizers of the Ostróda Reggae Festival. He co-produced the very first Polish albums recorded at Tuff Gong studio in Jamaica, including Day by Day by Rastasize (2008) and Jamaican Trip by Star Guard Muffin (2011). In collaboration with Activator, Maken published a pioneering compilation of Polish reggae music Dub out of Poland and Wymixowanie, a remixed collection of music by the Polish band Kapela Ze Wsi Warszawa.
Multicultural Entertainment Program Friday, May 12, 2017
Afternoon
14.20 – Post-wedding Ceremony (students form Uzbekistan)
14.25 – Chinese songs (Ming Jicheng, Zhang Mingzhu, and students from the Asian Studies program)
14.35 – Kyrgyz songs (Fatima Dosumbekova and Anastasija Guseva)
14.40 – Turkish dance (students from Turkey)
14.45 – Traditional Kazakh songs (Aigerim Balkhashbayeva)
14.50 – Belorussian songs (Anastasija Guseva)
Evening
18.00 – Yerke Sylkym, a traditional Kazakh song with the accompaniment of the national Kazakh instrument, dombra (Alina Makipova, Yerkezhan Saltabekova)
18.05 – Vietnamese dance (students from Vietnam)
18.10 – Chinese pop music (Bryan Lee)
18.15 – Flamenco Dance (Triana Dance School)
18.20 – Nastem Shestany (Erasmus program exchange students)
Workshops
Rapport-Based Approach in Business May 12, 2017, 13:30 – 15:00
The workshop is presented by Future Centre Training Corporation, a consulting company that provides comprehensive training solutions for business, including language courses, professional business training, audit services and HR solutions.
When working or studying with other people, it is important to create a positive working relationship. One of the ways to achieve this goal is by creating a friendly rapport with co-workers from the very beginning. There are many keys to good interpersonal communication, but they almost always involve the expression of shared experiences. From a psychological point of view, there are also certain steps that can be taken to form a good relationship. During the workshop participants will work on a 3-step plan to establishing an effective rapport with colleagues, potential business partners, and new friends.
Registration opens soon.
Working at an Advertising Agency: Fun, Challenge or Hard Work May 12, 2017, 15.30 - 17.00
This workshop is organized by Performante, a marketing consulting agency, a team-focused workplace that provides employees with freedom to try their own ideas and take responsibility for their projects. Performante offers challenging career opportunities in a non-hierarchical environment as well as additional benefits, such as flexible working hours, medical insurance and language courses. Representatives of Performante will talk about opportunities for self-development and professional development available at an advertising agency.
Participants of the workshop will gain:
- basic information about advertising and marketing markets
- knowledge about the structure of modern advertising agencies
- information about typical departments and jobs at an advertising agency
- an overview of responsibilities aligned with each of the departments and positions.
Registration opens soon.
'Get to know me in 5 minutes' May 12, 2017, 19.30 - 21.00
This event, organized by SWPS University Student Government, is an opportunity to meet fellow students from around the world and learn about different cultures directly from people who represent them. This is your chance to say “hello” to other students whom you probably pass by in the hallways, see in the campus cafeteria or the courtyard. Break the ice, make contact, shake each other’s hands. Awaken your inner explorer and get inspiration for your future travels!
Venue: Conference Room on the1st Floor
Overall Program
Friday, May 12, 2017
11.30–12.00 – Opening Ceremony
12.00–18.00 – Parallel Events: Let's Tune Into Diversity Conference, International Village, and workshops
18.00–19.00 – Perforamnces: representing various cultures
19.00–20.30 – Mamadou Diouf's dj set
20.30–22.00 – Maken's dj set
Saturday, May 13, 2017
12.00–18.00 – Parallel Events: Let's Tune Into Diversity Conference, International Village, and workshops
18.00–18.15 – Closing Ceremony
19.00 onwards – International Club Night at Klub Niebo, Nowy Świat 21, Warsaw
Organizers & Partners
Date and Location
May 12-13, 2017
Uniwersytet SWPS, Warsaw Campus
Chodakowska 19/31, 03-815 Warsaw
May 13, 2017
Saturday party: Klub Niebo, Nowy Świat 21, Warsaw
Contact
Event coordinator: Agata Kozłowska
e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.